In brief
Australian murderer Erin Patterson’s conviction for poisoning three relatives has been challenged after a jury stayed in the same hotel as prosecutors, the key witness and journalists. Lawyers allege the “catastrophic” mix‑up compromised trial integrity and request a retrial. The appeal also contests speculative evidence about the sourcing of death‑cap mushrooms and Facebook messages, while the Director of Public Prosecutions seeks to shorten the parole period. Proceedings will take place via video link, with the outcome pending for several weeks.
Australian prosecutors and a defence team are arguing that a critical hotel stay by the jury during the 2023 murder trial of Erin Patterson may have compromised the outcome.
Patterson, 51, faces a life sentence for poisoning three relatives with a beef Wellington that hid death‑cap mushrooms. She will only be eligible for parole after 33 years, a figure the Director of Public Prosecutions says is “manifestly inadequate”.
At the appeal, Justice Peter Kidd heard that jurors lay in the same Australian boutique hotel as the prosecution team, a key police witness and a journalist. Defence counsel Richard Edney called the situation “catastrophic” and demanded that the convictions be quashed to ensure justice was seen to be done.
Prosecutors, led by Brendan Kissane, admitted the mix‑up was an unfortunate accident but argued there was no communication between jurors and outsiders. They will contest the appeal on Thursday, also appealing the sentence in court.
The defence raised additional concerns: speculative mobile‑phone evidence about Patterson’s purported search of death‑caps, Facebook messages aimed at her estranged husband and the judge’s closing address. They claim such evidence was irrelevant or prejudicial.
Both sides anticipate a decision after a reserved judgment. Meanwhile, Patterson herself will watch proceedings from prison via a video link, as will her former husband, who had cancelled his attendance at the ill‑fated lunch.
